Politics
Wike Intervenes To Save ONELGA
Last week’s first Christmas Carol is still reverberating
across the nooks and crannies of the State after the State Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) staged the first State Government organised Carol. Governor Nyesom Wike with other top state officials attended at the Gen. Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt.
Last Monday, Governor Wike felicitated with his Deputy Dr, Ipalibo Harry-Banigo on her birthday. The governor commended Dr Harry-Banigo for being a reliable partner in the transformation of Rivers State in line with the New Rivers Development Blueprint.
The governor further opined that the deputy has earned herself a place in the history of the State following her record of service in the civil service, health care sector and now as deputy governor of the State.
On Tuesday, the governor through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu announced the appointment of a new Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA). Mr Lawrence Macaulay Pepple was appointed to lead the agency after it was shut down last month. Mr Pepple’s appointment took effect from Monday 21st December, 2015.
On Wednesday, shortly after returning from an official trip to the Federal Capital Territory, the governor inaugurated two Caretaker Committee Chairmen for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) and Etche Local Government Areas.
The governor submitted that the security reports in ONELGA indicated that the former chairman had relapsed while security deteriorated in the area. He noted that security reports indicated that there was need to intervene and enthrone rule of law in ONELGA.
He therefore directed the new CTC Chairman of ONELGA, Prince Isaac Umejere to make security a top priority and restore peace in the Omoku, Egi communities. “You have to collaborate with security agencies to fight crime and cultism in ONELGA.” Wike charged him.
On the same Wednesday, deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo honoured 10 staffers who retired after a meritorious service in Government House as part of a Christmas Carol, end of Year Party and Sendforth for staff and retirees and expressed appreciation to them following their dedication and sacrifice while serving the State in various capacities.
Ahead of the Christmas, celebration on December 25, Governor Wike on Thursday sent out a yuletide message to the people of the State. In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, he urged Christians to remain committed to the worthy ideals demonstrated by God in the birth of Jesus Christ.
He also called on the people to pray for Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole. The governor assured that the state will continue to grow from strength to strength as his administration was rooted on God and the will of the people.
On Christmas day, the governor’s wife, Her Excellency Justice Eberechi Nyesom Wike celebrated with the less privileged in the society. She began the day with a visit to the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMH) where she gave gifts to babies born on Christmas Day.
Justice Nyesom Wike said, “I am happy that we have our Christmas babies. I am happy that the three mothers delivered their babies safely. These babies represent the future and God’s miracle to mankind.”
On Saturday, Governor Wike swore-in more 15 special Advisers in Government House. He said the new aides will be the last batch in the year as he called on them to join hands in the implementation of the development agenda of the administration.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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